Overnight the Yankees signed Aroldis Chapman to a 5yr/$86MM deal, which has some scratching their head; but if you look at it this way, it makes tons of sense...

Last year Chapman: appeared 59 times, recorded 36 saves, sturck out 2 of 3 batters he faced, had the 4th best WHIP (0.86) among closers, and only blew 3 saves (5%). The Yankees as a team had 16 blown saves in 64 opportunites (25%); so from a quick eyeball test you could conclude that Chapman would have blown only 4 (max) of those opportunities, leaving 12 games in limbo. Based on his numbers in 2016, converting 61% of the time, the Yankees would have won an additional 7 games. That would have made their record 91-71, thus a wild card team.

According to thefieldsofgreen.com based on 2014 numbers, that amounts to roughly $30MM in extra revenue last year alone, nearly paying for 2 years of his $17.2MM/season salary. Not to mention the fact that the bullpen is now solidified (7th - Clippard, 8th - Betances, 9th - Chapman), so starters only have to go six (I'll let you argue that value). The Yanks also got the Cubs top prospect and AZFL MVP - Gleyber Torres, for renting out Chapman last year to the Cubs. Or should I say World Champion Cubs, which brings up the next benefit.... post season and championship experience - check and check. While Chapman was a hair better than average in the post season (2W, 4SV, 3BSV); he has been there, on the biggest stage, and won.

ROI seems to line up, looks like the Yankees know exactly what they are doing... ​Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter